Avondale Mazda

Mazda, the Japanese automaker, has been boosting its "gram strategy" to cut weight on all of its products and vehicles. For Mazda and their customers this is a win/win scenario, meaning that their pursuit of creating ultra-lightweight vehicles will be great for both performance and fuel efficiency. p>

With the recent debut of the ultra-lightweight MX-5GT, we can clearly see the benefits of the gram strategy put into practice. The roadster, specially designed to compete in the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship, weighs a mere 1,874 pounds, and puts out nearly two times as much power compared to the standard MX-5. According to a recent Mazda press release, the car jets from 0-60 mph in just three seconds and offers a top speed of 160 mph.

To create the lightest, most powerful MX-5 GT every built, Jota Sport - the race engineering team that will run the MX-5GT in the 2011 series - scrutinized every nut and bold in the vehicle to reduce component weight and then match the power to the weight. The most important element of development, however, was to keep the revamped race car true to its roots. As such, it offers the same great handling, fun driving experience, ability to challenge the competition, and affordable cost that its predecessors did.

Worried that the gram strategy makes the Mazda MX-5 GT less safe? Mazda wouldn't allow their nameplate on it if it did. The racer is in fact designed to be 17 times stronger than that required by the FIA.

"The MX-5 production race car's modest power output, bullet-proof reliability and nimble handling demonstrated last year how the MX-5 can be competitive against some of the purpose-built Lotus, VW and BMW race cars," says Graeme Fudge, PR Director, Mazda UK. "With a higher power output combined with the durability, reliability and handling attributes that the MX-5 is renowned for; the MX5-GT race car will be a strong contender against the more powerful race cars in its class."

Watch for more Mazda news, coming soon. Avondale Mazda, located at 10675 W Papago Fwy Avondale AZ 85323 is dedicated to keeping you informed.

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